Rookie blue liner enjoys his new home

Taking the next step up in hockey is never an easy thing to do but thanks to hard work and his team mates, Golden Rockets blue liner Coltin Berard is adjusting without many problems.

The 17-year-old rookie from Black Diamond, Alberta has been playing hockey since he was four. After playing on a Midget A team in Black Diamond, Berard has been working to become a more solid player in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) this year.

Golden reminds the young player of his home town back in Alberta.

“It is nice and pretty much like home,” Berard said.

As for how his first month in the KIJHL is going Berard said he is enjoying the hockey.

“I am a physical player. I can be offensive when I need to be but my focus is defence first. It is a lot faster and you have to get used to it. You have to move the puck quicker as well,” Berard said.

Adjusting to the system in Golden has not been a challenge. Working closely with other players and the coaching staff has helped bring the player into what the team does on the ice.

“The coaches are great. I couldn’t ask for more. The team is made up of a great bunch of guys.” He also explained that one area of his game which he is working on is making more solid decisions on when to step up to hit someone. “The players are so much better and have the ability to slip by us at times. I have to adjust to that.”

As for the rest of the season Berard is hoping for a playoff run with the Rockets in his rookie season.